logo
WebPros acquires Comet Backup to boost global data protection

WebPros acquires Comet Backup to boost global data protection

Techday NZ6 days ago
WebPros has acquired Christchurch-based data backup and storage solutions provider Comet Backup, expanding its global portfolio of web hosting and automation tools.
WebPros, whose suite of products includes cPanel, Plesk, and WHMCS, operates in 227 countries and supports more than 60 million domains. The acquisition enables the company to broaden its data protection offerings to businesses worldwide.
Company history
Comet Backup was established in Christchurch nearly a decade ago. Since its founding, the company has provided data backup software focused on solutions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT teams. Its technology enables organisations to safeguard critical data, supporting everything from daily data backups to disaster recovery scenarios.
In recent years, the importance of secure and reliable data protection has grown, with increasing risks related to cyber threats and data loss affecting businesses globally. The acquisition allows WebPros to strengthen its capacity to meet these security demands, aiming to serve an expanded, international customer base. "We are thrilled to welcome Comet Backup into the WebPros family. This is an important extension of our web enablement ecosystem, helping businesses address their backup and storage needs with greater efficiency and reliability," said Christian Koch, CEO of WebPros.
Josh Flores, General Manager of Comet Backup, commented on the alignment between the two companies, saying, "It was clear to us from the outset that WebPros' leading global web enablement ecosystem is the perfect permanent home to take our business to the next level. The acquisition process itself gave both my team and me full confidence that the WebPros group is an optimal cultural fit for us. Our customers can expect the same great service, now with enhanced support and innovative new features as we continue to invest in the product."
Reaction from the sector
The deal has been welcomed by New Zealand's technology community. Liz Foxwell-Canning, CEO of Canterbury Tech, said, "Comet Backup's success is a brilliant example of the kind of world-class talent and innovation we have right here in Ōtautahi Christchurch. It's proof that you don't need to be in Silicon Valley to build and scale globally competitive software – South Island smarts can and do go the distance."
Josh Flores also reflected on the company's progress, noting, "Our growth has been driven by a focus on delivering real value to our customers."
Peter Thomas, the founder of Comet Backup, stated, "Joining WebPros will allow us to help even more companies protect their data and continue innovating on a global scale."
Future direction
Comet Backup will now be integrated into the broader WebPros platform, with the aim of supporting further growth and product development. The company will continue to focus on secure, scalable backup and storage for clients, protecting business data and supporting continuity in a digital world.
The move is expected to provide Comet Backup with access to additional resources and networks, contributing to the reach and reliability of its data protection solutions within the global marketplace.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

New York Bagels enters liquidation after 30 years, $84,000 owed to IRD
New York Bagels enters liquidation after 30 years, $84,000 owed to IRD

NZ Herald

timean hour ago

  • NZ Herald

New York Bagels enters liquidation after 30 years, $84,000 owed to IRD

Auckland-based New York Bagels has gone into liquidation. Photo / Supplied Reminder, this is a Premium article and requires a subscription to read. Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Auckland-based New York Bagels has gone into liquidation. Photo / Supplied Auckland bagel manufacturer and supplier New York Bagels has gone into liquidation after almost 30 years in business. Paul Manning and Thomas Rodewald of BDO NZ were appointed as liquidators before vacating the position, later to be filled by Steven Khov and Kieran Jones. The business had two shareholders, Zacura Holdings, which held 75% of the business and is owned by Glen Curd, and Lucy Green, who held the remaining 25%. According to Khov and Jones' first report, New York Bagels experienced a downturn in revenue, impacting cashflow, and was forced into defaulting on liabilities as they fell due. Before they vacated their role as liquidators, Manning and Rodewald froze the company's bank account and contacted secured creditors asking for details of their debt and securities.

Billboard camera footage used by transport agency to spot cars and trucks
Billboard camera footage used by transport agency to spot cars and trucks

RNZ News

time5 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Billboard camera footage used by transport agency to spot cars and trucks

NZTA Waka Kotahi has used privately-owned automated number plate recognition cameras to identity number plates. File photo. Photo: 123RF Footage from cameras in billboards at city intersections have been secretly used by the NZ Transport Agency for the first time to spot cars and trucks. NZTA Waka Kotahi's trial started in February, and is designed to combat fraud by illegal garages issuing warrants of fitness to cars, or passing trucks. Two sources close to the vehicle inspection industry say the move is surprising and questioned why the agency would do it, especially with using third-party technology systems. Police already tap into privately-owned automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras to identity number plates hundreds of times a day. But this is the first known use of that power by another state agency. "The ANPR donor cameras in the trial are not being used 'to spy on mechanics issuing warrants', nor would they be capable of being used for that purpose," NZTA told RNZ. "These cameras are typically located in billboards at urban intersections. "The trial is simply looking at the potential for using images gathered by these cameras to be used as proof of the location of a particular vehicle at a point in time." An inspector who claimed they had checked a car in Auckland at a certain time could be exposed if the car was spotted at a Christchurch intersection at that time, it said. It "could be of benefit in supporting investigations into specific cases where fraudulent or illegal activity is suspected". A well-connected industry source told RNZ: "Yeah, that has been a bit secret." NZTA might not have wanted to tip people off, the source said. "For the purpose the agency is stating, I don't have much issue with that, but the way they have gone about it is what alarms me. Especially because it's third-party [cameras and ANPR system]. "What else might they use them for?" NZTA Waka Kotahi said it was not using the images in any actual fraud investigations, but only as a test for potential future use. The test is separate from how the agency is taking over many speed and red-light-runner cameras from police, and replacing some with higher-tech models, which it will own. A second source active in the industry was appalled by the move. "Oh my god," they said. "It is part of your right to know the audit process you go through. You can't sabotage your process because of a trial." Months of inquiries by RNZ in 2018 showed up mass deficiencies in NZTA's oversight of how truck certificates of fitness were being issued. The systems were reviewed and changed. There have been further reports of inspectors anonymously recounting examples of how they feel they have been subject to unfair targeting by the agency. "You have got layers and layers of issues here," said the second source. "What's the limit [of surveillance]?" They questioned why was the camera sting even needed when fraud would "show up in paperwork. There will be tons of other evidence that can be used against people". Many supermarkets, petrol stations, other businesses and councils have a total of thousands of cameras that link into ANPR software systems run by two Auckland companies - Auror and SaferCities. The new trial uses SaferCities vGrid system , NZTA said. Its system covered electronic billboard operators such as LUMO, which had built-in cameras with ANPR software, and CCTV operators including councils, individual businesses and car park operators, the agency said. Police accessed the vGrid system more than 400,000 times last year. "NZTA only has access to still images from ANPR donor cameras whose owners have specifically agreed to our usage," Waka Kotahi told RNZ in the OIA response. "Currently, this only includes LUMO and more recently, Hamilton City Council." RNZ approached LUMO for comment. As of 2022, the country had at least 1400 digital billboards and screen-posters, many of them with smart technology and ANPR cameras . The police tapped the ANPR systems 700,000 times last year. In October, two district court judges dismissed legal challenges to the police using them so much without a warrant, though it is expected there will be at least one appeal against that finding. The fraud camera trial comes at the same time Waka Kotahi is reviewing the WOF-COF system to reduce how often collectors of old vehicles, and motorhome users, have to get a warrant. The agency has been increasing a lot of the fees it charges motorists since 2023. Another batch of rises is due next January that are expected to push up total fees collected by $10m to $264m . Camera footage could be used where it was suspected that WoFs or CoFs had been issued to vehicles which had not been inspected at the time or place recorded by a vehicle inspector, the transport agency said. It gave a hypothetical scenario to RNZ: "If NZTA was investigating a vehicle inspector suspected of fraud, and if the inspector had issued a WoF to a vehicle which was recorded as having been inspected at a WoF garage in Auckland at 2pm on 1 July, 2025, and we were able to access a still image from a donor camera of the same vehicle driving past a billboard located in Christchurch at 3:30pm on 1 July, 2025, this could potentially be used as evidence to prove that the WoF had been issued fraudulently, because the vehicle was not in Auckland at the time of the recorded inspection." This would not be a part of regular compliance monitoring, it said. Regular compliance monitoring included scheduled reviews where compliance officers visited inspection sites, as well as 'mystery shopper' activity. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

ANZ Premiership final: Live updates as the Northern Mystics host the Mainland Tactix at Trusts Arena
ANZ Premiership final: Live updates as the Northern Mystics host the Mainland Tactix at Trusts Arena

NZ Herald

time19 hours ago

  • NZ Herald

ANZ Premiership final: Live updates as the Northern Mystics host the Mainland Tactix at Trusts Arena

The Northern Mystics and Mainland Tactix will meet for a third time this season in front of a sold-out Trusts Arena crowd to determine the 2025 ANZ Premiership title. Netball NZ update eligibility laws, opens door for overseas-based Silver Ferns The Netball New Zealand (NNZ) board has voted to update the eligibility criteria for national selection, allowing players based overseas to be available for the Silver Ferns. After reviewing the criteria, NNZ has introduced a formal exemption process to adapt to the changing face of the sport. Players presently choose between higher-paying opportunities overseas, or remaining in Aotearoa – where they can be eligible for the Silver Ferns. The new criteria will come into effect before this year's international netball season, with what the national organisation has described as 'clear guidelines and assessment measures for any exemption applications'. 'We've listened to the game and believe this is a positive step forward,' said NNZ board chair Matt Whineray. 'This update strikes a balance between flexibility and fairness, acknowledging the increasingly global nature of netball while continuing to protect the integrity of our domestic competitions and the mana of the Silver Ferns.' Players wanting to remain eligible for national selection while based overseas will need to go through a formal process, although the updated criteria has not been made available. 'Ultimately, the purpose of this proposed process is to ensure that all exemption requests are evaluated fairly, consistently, and transparently,' said NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie. 'It safeguards the athlete through a structured and transparent approach, while upholding the broader interests of Netball New Zealand, the Silver Ferns, and the ANZ Premiership competition.' NNZ has said the updated criteria will not be made public, adding to what has been a murky saga regarding overseas players' availability. Earlier this year, Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio told Newstalk ZB that players must have 100 test caps to be eligible for an exemption to play offshore and still play in international fixtures. Australian-based Grace Nweke confirmed the same to Fox Sports - saying it was Netball NZ's 'black and white' rule. However, a spokesperson for the national body has clarified no such 100-test rule exists, and each case was at the board's discretion. In the time since, multiple players have expressed to Newstalk ZB that they have been forced to choose between overseas offers – largely out of Australia – and remaining in NZ and the ANZ Premiership.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store